Chapter 101 Discussion

The night was cool as water, but Xiao Yuxuan's heart was colder than the long night.

The night wind rustled through her hair, and she wrapped her cloak tighter around herself, walking briskly through the covered walkway with a blank expression.

After turning a corner and confirming that there was no one else around, she turned her head and lowered her voice, saying:

"Bihui, go to Elm Lane first thing tomorrow morning and ask me how the net I asked someone to set is going."

Bi Sui's scalp tightened, and she immediately agreed.

Is this girl finally going to make her move?

“Miss, when I went to apply medicine to Chunwen just now, I met Miss Pei Xing’er, and she helped Chunwen with acupuncture.”

"Really? How is Chunwen?"

“When I spoke with Chunwen, she seemed to be in good spirits.”

"That's good. When you come back from Elm Lane tomorrow, go visit Chunwen again. Tell her that I will ask my mother for mercy and let her come with me to Jiangnan. But this trip will last at least three years and at most five years. Ask her if she wants to visit her family and say goodbye."

The two women were having a seemingly ordinary conversation, but only they knew how lively the Xiao residence would be tomorrow.

Lanting Pavilion.

Xiao Yuxuan removed her hairpins and ornaments, finished washing and dressing, and lay down on the bed.

But her mind was filled with all sorts of grudges and entanglements from her past life, and countless schemes and plots in this life. With the light and shadow of past and present lives intertwined, she could hardly distinguish between reality and the past.

Since she couldn't sleep, she simply put on her clothes and got out of bed.

Qin Yuan was on night watch tonight. Seeing the lamps lit inside, she quickly approached and said gently:

"Miss, you have to get up early tomorrow to go to the girls' school, so please get settled quickly."

"Perhaps I ate too much last night, and now I can't sleep. Qin Yuan, if you feel sorry for me, why don't you play a game of chess with me? When you're tired, you'll naturally want to sleep."

Qin Yuan thought for a moment, then nodded and quietly went inside to take out the chessboard and pieces.

After the chess pieces were set up and they played a dozen or so rounds, Qin Yuan's moves became slower and slower, while Xiao Yuxuan made her moves without hesitation, casually picking up and putting down her pieces each time, her eyes occasionally glancing out the window.

Qin Yuan was secretly alarmed.

Is Miss Xiao's chess skill really that high?

Is this the level one can achieve after studying at a girls' school for less than a month?

From a young age, she was trained to be the personal maid of the eldest princess. Although she could not compare with girls who were experts in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, she was still considered one of the best among her peers, so that she could accompany her mistress in her playtime and not spoil the fun.

But Miss Xiao Wu...

She probably realized that she was no match for her, and quietly gave away pieces several times, keeping the game at a stalemate between the black and white sides.

Qin Yuan: "..."

She seriously doubted whether such a game of chess could really tire Miss Xiao out. It would be more likely to exhaust her.

Qin Yuan mustered her strength and walked back and forth a dozen more times before asking:

"Is something troubling you, young lady?"

Rather than wasting the whole night playing this half-hearted game of chess, it would be better to let Miss Xiao speak so that we can go to sleep earlier.

If a master can be willful once in a while, the servants shouldn't indulge him, especially a young girl like this whose temperament is still developing.

"Qin Yuan, I may have done some bad things."

The leaves outside the window are already lush and green, and the silver moon shines like frost, making the leaves gleam.

Xiao Yuxuan's profile was half illuminated by the lamplight and half bathed in the moonlight, so exquisitely beautiful that she seemed otherworldly. Although her face still looked somewhat youthful, Qin Yuan was captivated by her beauty.

After a long pause, as if she had just found her voice, she quickly lowered her eyes and said:

"What are you saying, young lady? Good or bad, it's just honey to one person and poison to another. Why belittle yourself like that?"

Her words were cleverly worded and flawless, but that wasn't the kind of reaction Xiao Yuxuan wanted.

Qin Yuan and Cheng Yan were both maids borrowed from the Princess's residence, and at least for now, they are still loyal to the Princess.

Xiao Yuxuan did not deliberately avoid the two of them when she did what she did. Anyone who paid attention would naturally find that she was now using almost any means necessary to deal with Xiao Yuyao.

Judging from the princess's attitude towards her these days, she seems unaware of all this.

She only has Bihui by her side now, and she is ultimately a bit weak and alone. If Qinyuan and Chengyan were willing to work for her, everything would be much easier.

"Qin Yuan, do you know? I don't like this kind of life, always on guard against a few cold arrows being shot from somewhere, worried about what kind of traps are waiting for me to step into... When I first returned to the Xiao family, this was not the kind of life I longed for."

Qin Yuan's slender, narrow eyes trembled slightly.

In her opinion, Miss Xiao was too sensible and too quiet. She would only occasionally show a bit of childishness in front of the Princess. Most of the time, she was gentle and smiling, as if she had no worries at all.

But at this age, how can one possibly hide their grievances every moment?

She had only known that the two young ladies of the Xiao family seemed to have some awkward arguments, but when the Princess sent her to serve the Fifth Miss Xiao, she realized that it was no longer just a quarrel between sisters.

She had personally experienced two such incidents: being falsely accused of theft and being drugged at a palace banquet. Either one of them would have ruined her reputation, not to mention others that had happened before...

In her opinion, what Miss Xiao is doing now is nothing more than being forced into it. Therefore, she and Cheng Yan kept their mouths shut about the Princess and did not say anything without Miss Xiao's permission.

"Although your servant and Chengyan may not be able to protect you for a lifetime, at least we are protecting you now. Moreover, with Sister Bihui and Miss Pei Xing'er by your side to keep watch and assist you, why should you worry about not being able to achieve your goals?"

Talking to a smart person is not difficult; with just a few words, Xiao Yuxuan understood her attitude.

At this time, the two of them were still receiving their monthly allowance from the Princess's residence. Money determined their stance, which was perfectly natural.

But one thing is certain: at least for the time they are by her side, the two of them will remain loyal to her.

Xiao Yuxuan felt a little more at ease, and the drowsiness of the late night gradually crept in.

"The road ahead is difficult, and I appreciate it if you could accompany me for a while."

If Qin Yuan still doesn't understand what Miss Xiao Wu means, then all that time she's spent learning the rules has been for nothing.

She rose, performed a full curtsy, and said in a crisp voice:

"Please rest assured, young lady."

I slept without any dreams.

She woke up a little late the next day, and Chengyan helped her with her hair and makeup, dressed her in a bright dress, and then they boarded the carriage to the Princess's residence.

A rare thing happened at the morning court session this day.

Led by Minister Dai, officials related to the Dai family by marriage collectively impeached Xiao Jue, the Junior Chamberlain, accusing him of breaking his promise, breaking off the engagement before marriage, and lacking moral character, making him unfit to serve as an official in the court.

As for the person involved, Xiao Jue directly missed today's morning court session, saying that he was feeling unwell, and even asked for three days off from the government office.

The Emperor and the Crown Prince decided to postpone the discussion, but the family affairs of these high-ranking officials were hardly a secret, and since the rumors involved romantic relationships, the streets and alleys of the capital were soon abuzz with discussion.